Thursday, January 23, 2014

Randolph College is joining with four other Virginia higher education institutions to provide 100 percent renewable energy to their campuses. This move will cut the colleges’ greenhouse gas emissions and save money as well.

CCE is an affiliate of Ingenco, Virginia’s largest landfill gas (LFG) to energy operator. The company generates electricity using methane that is emitted from landfills. Landfills account for 35 percent of all man-made methane emissions in the United States, and by capturing those emissions, LFG to energy projects preserve the environment while reducing the need for fossil fuel.

“LFG is 21 times more destructive to the atmosphere than carbon dioxide,” explained Thomas Loehr, president of CCE. “By converting LFG, we all enjoy a dual benefit of reducing greenhouse gases and at the same time producing renewable energy.

“Emory & Henry, Hollins, Lynchburg, Randolph, and Sweet Briar are showing they are leaders in environmental sustainability by taking action to make a real difference,” he said.

The schools are the first colleges in Virginia to commit to providing 100 percent renewable energy to their campuses.

As a result, the independent colleges are offsetting between 50 and 70 percent of their total carbon footprints and establishing a new standard for sustainability at colleges and universities in the Commonwealth. The colleges estimate a combined savings of between $3.2 million and $6.4 million over the next 12 years.

Electricity generated from LFG will be delivered to each college through the distribution system owned by Appalachian Power Company.

The Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia (CICV) coordinated the sustainability initiative. Robert Perrow, a partner with the Richmond law firm of Williams Mullen, represented CICV in negotiating and preparing the agreements.

“Virginia’s private colleges have always been interested in being at the forefront of sustainability and protection of the environment,” said CICV President Robert Lambeth. “Our members were open to investigating the opportunity to purchase 100 percent renewable energy produced in Virginia, and CICV was happy to provide the help needed to make these agreements a reality.”

Comments

We've Moved

The Randolph College Blog recently moved to www.randolphcollege.edu/news. You can go there for the latest stories about Randolph College students, alumnae and alumni, faculty, and staff. You will also find copies of all the stories that were published on this site.Thank you for visiting!